Rockwell Automation announces enhancements for PlantPAx distributed control system

November 14, 2017 — Digital transformation in process operations requires secure connectivity between the device and the enterprise. The PlantPAx distributed control system (DCS) from Rockwell Automation has helped make this connectivity possible through its alignment with plant-wide automation technology and use of open communication standards. Now, Rockwell Automation is revealing new enhancements coming to the platform to help process operations capture more value across the entire plant and enterprise.

The next PlantPAx DCS release is designed to help users reduce unplanned downtime and improve system availability. This includes support for Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP), an industry standard for redundant Ethernet, enabling more secure controller and I/O communications.

The next release will also feature updated human machine interface (HMI) and trending tools. This includes an enhanced Library of Process Objects to better align with industry display design standards. The expanded library also includes integration with electrical protection devices, leveraging both EtherNet/IP and IEC-61850 communication standards. This further extends plant-wide control capabilities and connects electrical management and control, reducing infrastructure duplication resulting in easier implementation and lower total cost of ownership.

Process users, partners and OEMs will learn more about upcoming capabilities in detail at the 2017 Process Solutions User Group (PSUG) taking place Nov. 13 and 14 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston prior to the start of the Automation Fair event from Rockwell Automation.

About Rockwell AutomationRockwell Automation is dedicated to industrial automation and information, making its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., Rockwell Automation employs approximately 22,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.